Golden, CO (Aug. 5, 2019) – With Aug. 11 almost here, Colorado 811 hopes this date on the calendar, 8/11, will serve as a natural reminder for residents to call 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811.
When contacting 811, homeowners and contractors are connected Colorado 811, the local one call center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. Professional utility locators are then sent to the requested dig site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags and spray paint.
Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, requires notifying 811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects that need 811 before starting.
“On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to contact 811 before digging to reduce the risk of striking a dangerous underground utility line,” said J.D. Maniscalco, Colorado 811 CEO. “By contacting 811 now, you can avoid having to call 911 later.”
The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches or digging in a location that’s previously been marked, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists.
Visit colorado811.org more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
The Utility Notification Center of Colorado 811 is your communication link between the owners of facilities and properties and those scheduling utility location requests for excavation purposes.
16361 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden, CO 80403
